Newcastle threatened to equalize briefly, before Moses was brought down in the area and Hazard stepped up and converted the penalty.

Alvaro Morata got on the end of a fizzing Victor Moses cross to head home from close range in the 33rd minute and at that stage, the only question that remained was how may goals would the hosts score.

"But when you win trophies in different countries and not always with the best teams or the teams with more money it means that you have a group of professionals working with you and that you are getting more things right than wrong". It was a solid performance despite the goal. Benitez's stint as Liverpool manager still remained fresh in the memory.

Hazard said he "instinctively" chipped Darlow, who returned to the starting XI against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. If he had been credited with the assist, it would have been his sixth of the season. Constantly finding space, weaving in and out of defenders like they were children and if it wasn't for two magnificent saves by Karl Darlow, he'd have scored four.

Victory leaves Chelsea in third, with Newcastle continuing their descent down the Premier League table after losing five of their last six games. I thought we were good until that point but maybe it was a wake-up call. "But they are there because they deserve to be".

The Black and Whites didn't look threatening for the much of first half, with Chelsea's dominance subduing their effectiveness.

Even though the League form under Benitez was patchy, Chelsea were brilliant in the Europa League. The wing-back earned a penalty for his side, when Matt Ritchie showed his defensive fragility with his rash challenge on the Nigerian. When you get tight to him he can turn you, he just has everything to his game.

It was believed back then that the fans' hatred for Benitez was the main reason for Chelsea's decision to not offer the full time contract to the Spaniard.

No reason for holiday cheer with GOP tax plan
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Milder Day; PM Rain
We'll continue our stretch of above average days through early next week before colder air is expected to settle in by Wednesday . So Saturday and Sunday will feature more sunshine and comfortable afternoon temperatures for this time of the year.

Soccer: Allardyce off to winning start with Everton
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Record-smashing 2017 hurricane season ends
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Georgia RB Swift's huge TD run seals SEC title game win
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Ohio State or Alabama for final spot?
The loss was Alabama's first and only loss of the season, but it also took the Crimson Tide out of the SEC Championship Game. Since they also have wins against #9 Penn State and #16 Michigan State , their resume looks like one of a playoff contender.